Plaiting-machine



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J. B. OHENETTE. Planing-Machine.

No. 223,800. Patented Jan. 27, I880.

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J. E. OHENETTE. Planing-Machine.

No. 223,800. PatentedJan. 27,, 1880'.

n N e' FIG 5 WITNESSES F F INVENTOH.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH n. GHENETTE, OF HILLSBOROUGH, OREGON, ASSIGNOR TO w. H. wmsrnn, OF SAN FRANOl gOO, CALIFORNIA.

PLAlTlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,800, dated January 27, 1880.

Application filed September 6, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JosEPH E. OHENETTE, of Elillsborough, county of Washington, and State of Oregon, have invented an Improved PlaitingMachine; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact de scription thereof.

My invention relates to an improved machine for plaiting goods of all kinds; and it consists of a frame having rollers at each end,

over which a carrying-belt moves, and a table between these rollers supportsthe center of the belt upon its surface. Above this table is a hinged frame carrying a pressure-roller and a knife and knife-bar, which are operated by a system of levers, so as to take the goods and pass them beneath the roller in plaits or folds, the belt being at the same time moved forward, so as to carry the plaits beneath an iron apron, which may have a hot or cold iron placed upon it to fix the plaits and render them permanent. Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanation of my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my de- 2 5 vice with the cover broken away. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are details of construction.

A is a frame consisting of two side pieces or bars, which are placed widely enough apart to admit any width of goods which it may be desired to plait. At each end of this frame is a roller, Q, turning on journals, and a belt, B, passes around these rollers, and serves to convey the material to be plaited through the 3 5 machine. A bed or table, 0, occupies the space between the sides A, and extends from one roller to the other, so that the upper surface of the belt will travel over this table and in contact with it, being thus supported in a 40 perfectly solid manner. The tension of the belt is regulated by means of screws n, which extend into the end of the frame A, and move the roller at that endin or out, as desired,

A frame, D, fits on top of the side bars of the main frame A, and is hinged at one side, so as to be lifted up when necessary. It is secured in place when down by a slotted lug, a, and springcatch b, which hold it firmly in place. Transversely across this frame is the pressure-roller E, which is journaled on pins F,

extending up through the curved plate G. These pins project through the plate into the ends of a flat spring, H, and in the middle of the plate is a set-screw, R, which impinges on the center of this spring. By screwing down on this set=screw more or less pressure is exerted downward on the roller by the spring pushing down the pins in which the roller is journaled. The space between the roller and table is thus regulated for various thicknesses of cloths; moreover, there is no rigid pressure, but the spring will give and allow a certain freedom of motion to the roller, so as to pass over seams, &c.

On the top plate of the frame D are the two oppositely-swiveled levers I, which are hinged or pivoted in the center of the frame, as shown at c. To the lower one of these levers is fixed a bolt, cl, which passes through an extended slot in the upper one, so that when the upper lever, with the handle, is moved the lower one is moved also by the bolt in the center. Near the free ends of these levers. are the toggle-bars J, the opposite ends of which are swiveled to the cross-bar K, the toggles being swiveled or hinged to both the levers and cross-bars. Secured to the cross-bar K is the curved plaiting plate L, having a serrated lower edge, as shown and extending somewhat in from the cross-bar, so as to cross under onto the roller, as hereinafter described.

By the peculiar arrangement of these levers the handle of the lever, operated from one side, causes a direct rectilinear motion to' be imparted to the knife, and the levers may cross by each other back and forth, so as to give an extended motion in a short space.

The plaitin g plate or knife is held to the bar K by said bar being made in two parts with a slot, r, between them, so as to form jaws. The upper turned edge of the knife or plate is inserted between these jaws, and is firmly held in place by the bevel of the jaws, as shown. The knife is bent in two, ways, as shown, so as to form aspring, and can be removed or adjusted quickly.

m In the sides of the frame, at the front end, are formed mortises e, in which fits a rod, f, to which is riveted a fiat plate, M, curved at the end near the pressure-roller, as shown.

l and spring-catch.

A hot or cold iron may be placed on this plate, so as to press the plaits after they come through the roller. A free vertical motion is allowed the end of this plate by the rod moving in the 'mortises. The plaited material comes under the curved end of the plate, and is there drawn along under the plate by the rotation of the belt.

On the end of the outer roller Q is placed a loose pulley, g, having a pawl, 71, upon it. A cord or belt, t, passes over this pulley, and is attached toa spiral spring, 19, at the other end of the frame inside. The otherend of the cord or belt t is secured to the lower end of an upright sliding bar, N, at the rear end of width of the plaits, as hereinafter described.

A pin, 1, fits into holes made at certain distances apart in this guide-bar to regulate the movement of the lever. A hand-rod, m, attached to the sliding bar admits of the sliding bar being moved independent of the levers for makingspaces between rows of plaits, as hereinafter described.

The operation of my device is as follows: The piece of goods to be plaited is laid on the belt B, on top of the table (J, and the swinging frame D closed down and held by its lug The cloth is thus put in place without having to push the end under the pressing-roller, as theroller in the frame comes down upon it when in place. Having determined the width of the plait required, the pin in the guide is dropped into the proper hole, so as to regulate the distance which the lever is to travel, and the amount of lap of the cloth will be just half thetravel of the lever in the guide. As the lever is drawn forward the knife pushes the cloth under the pressure-roller in a bight. As the lever is drawn back it comes in contact with the forward edge of the gage O on the sliding bar N and moves this sliding bar back until the lever strikes the pin 1 in the guide-bar. As this sliding bar is moved back the belt t rotates the loose pulley g, and its pawl engages with teeth 011 the outer roller Q, thus revolving this roller and its belt B, moving the cloth to be plaited along under the pressure roller. In this way, for part of the rearward motion of the lever, the belt is moved forward and the space between the plaits is regulated.

The guideis graduated on its edge, as shown, and the little pointer on the sliding gage is brought opposite any of these points to show the space between the plaits.

The gage may be moved forward or back on the sliding bar, so as to give more or less feedto the belt.

When it is desired to have a space more or less wide between the rows of plaits the sliding bar may be operated independent of the lever by means of the rod 122, thus moving the fabric forward under the roller on the belt without any plaits bein g formed. As the fab ric passes under the pressure-roller this roller presses down on the cloth, so as to keep the formed plaits in proper shape. From under this roller the plaited fabric passes under the ironing-plate M, upon which a hot iron may be placed, so that the plaits are ironed smooth, the movement of the belt passing the material along under the plate While the weight is upon it.

In order that .heavy goods with scams or hems maybe put through the machine, I form a groove or channel on the bed or table 0, into which the hem will fit, thus bringing the upper surface of the hem on a level with the rest of the fabric.

In order that the rollers may revolve the belt without its slipping, I put emery on the rollers carrying the belt, so that a roughened surface is presented, and the apron or belt prevented from slipping, and a positive motion is maintained.

In this way-the plaits are formed and the cloth not mussed up or wrinkled, even when the fabric is of the most delicate kind.

For fine goods the knife is made with a smooth beveled edge with no serrations. The handle or lever, being held in the guide, will not lift up, but will work truly back and forth. Any sized plaits maybe formed, as described. The knife carries the under edge of the plait directly under the center of the pressnre'roller at each forward movement. When the knife has moved half-way back for the next plait, then the sliding bar moves the apron forward the required distance to allow the next plait to come in. The sliding bar is drawn forward each time by means of the spiral spring and intervening cord or belt running over the loose pulley, as described.

- The lower curve of the knife is such that as the knife is moved forward and the material pushed under the pressure roller the said roller is raised by moving up on the knife. As soon as the knife is withdrawn the spring pushes the roller down on theplait, holding it in place.

When the gage-bar is set so the pointer is opposite one of the graduations on the guide, the sliding bar only moves between said graduation and the pin controlling the lever movement. The forward feed of the belt is thus seen exactly before any movement is made.

The changes for different-sized plaits are easily made, and one person can work the machine.

The device may be secured on a table in any convenient position for moving the levers.

The plaits can all be finished ready for the sewing-machine without the necessity of any basting.

By operating the forward roller, on which the belt revolves, as herein described, the material is drawn forward by the belt, and very heavy weights may be placed on the ironingplate.

When the belt is operated from the rear roller the belt is apt to wrinkle and pucker up with a weight on. it in front of the pressureroller. I therefore prefer to draw the upper surface of the belt along directly by means of the front roller, being thus enabled to press the plaits firmly.

Having thus described my invention, what I c aim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The frame A, with its belt or apron 13, adapted to move over the rollers Q, one of which is adjustable, and carrying the table or pressing-board (l, in combination with the swinging hinged frame D, carrying the levers 1', pressingroll er, and plaiting-kniie L, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. The hinged swinging frame D, with its spring-catch b, for engaging with the luga, and provided with the elastic pressing-roller E, levers I, and knife L, in combination with the apron-carrying frame A, with its table or bed 0, said frame being adapted for folding back on itshinges, whereby the material to be plaited maybe laid flat on the table 0, and the pressureroller and plaiting-knife shut down upon it, substantially as herein described.

3. In combination with the hinged swinging frame 0, the oppositely-pivoted crossed levers I, with their connecting-bolt d and toggles J, for connecting them with the knife-bar K, whereby a rectilinear reciprocating motion is imparted to the knife-bar by the lever operated from one side, substantially as herein described.

4. In combination with the double-curved plaiting-knife L, the knife-bar K,provided with the beveled slot 7', whereby jaws are formed in 1 said bar for holding the knifein position withmovable pin l, whereby the movement of the levers and knife is adjusted, substantially as herein described.

.7. In combination with the swinging frame D, with its levers I, plaiting-knife L, and press ing-roller E, fitted to close upon the frame A, carrying the feed bolt or apron B over the table (3, the pressing-plate attached to the rod f, moving freely in the mortises e, by which-more or less weight may be applied to the plaited material by placing irons upon said pressingplate as the material is drawn under it by means of the rotation of the belt, substantially as herein described.

8. In a plaiting-machine having an apron or belt revolving on rollers for feeding the material forward, the loose pulley g, with its pawl h, for engaging with a ratchet-wheel on the forward roller Q, and the belt or cord 71, attached to the spiral spring 19, and the sliding bar N, said sliding bar being adapted to be operated by the rearward movement of the knife-moving levers I, whereby the forward roller is rotated and the upper surface of the belt drawn forward, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

9. In combination with the knife-operating levers I, one of -which moves in the graduated guide P, provided with the regulating-pin l, the adjustable slotted gage 0, with its indicator l0, secured to the sliding bar N, said bar being arranged to rotate the apron or belt B by means of the cord, loose pulley, andratchet, as described, whereby the movement of the levers which form the plait also actuates the belt or apron, so as to draw the material forward for the next plait, substantially-as herein described. p

10. In a plaiting-machine provided with an endless belt, B, rotating on rollers Q, the loose pulley g, with its pawls h, for engaging with the forward roller, an d the cord i, with one end attached to a spring, 19, and the other secured to a sliding bar, N, actuated by the knife-operating levers I, so that the upper surface of the belt is drawn directly forward from under the pressure-roller, rendering it possible to place heavy ironing-weights upon said belt, substantially as herein described.

11. Incombination with the sliding bar N, connected with the mechanism for operating the endless belt or apron B, as shown, the adjustable gage O, with its set-screw j and pointer k, said gage being arranged soas to come in contact with the operating-levers I at any desired points, whereby the space between the plaits is regulated, substantially as herein described.

12. In combination with the sliding bar N, the cord i, for operating the pulley g, and pawl h, for moving the roller Q to actuate the apron or belt B, the hand bar or rod m, whereby the belt may be rotated independent of the movement of the knife-moving levers and spaces left between the rows of plaits, substantially as herein described.

13. The bar N, the belt or apron B, cord 11, loose pulley g, pawl h, spring 1), and roller Q, having the'hand-bar m, and provided with the adjustable gage O, in combination with the knife-operating lever I, as described, whereby the belt may be rotated either by the movement of the levers or independent of them, substantially as and for the purpose herein de scribed.

14. The graduated guide P, with its movable pin or stop I, and the adjustable gage O,

with its pointer or indicator It, fitted to the bar table or bed 0 below the pressure-roller E and ironing-plate M, whereby a firm levelsnrface is maintained, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my 15 hand.

JOSEPH E. GHENETTE.

Witnesses:

GHAs. G. YALE, CHARLES D. COLE. 

